Chapter 80: It Was as If Heaven Itself Opposed Her!

Half an hour later, their romantic candlelit dinner had ended.

Xiao Xuezheng set down his chopsticks and stood, heading upstairs to the bedroom. Before disappearing, he called down to Shi Runrun, “I’m going to shower first. Come up as soon as you can.”

The implication was clear enough—what couples did after bathing needed no explanation. Hearing his words, Shi Runrun’s cheeks flushed, her hand trembled, nearly dropping the chopsticks she was holding. Watching his figure vanish upstairs, she quickly set her utensils aside and followed.

Upon entering the bedroom, the sound of running water from the bathroom greeted her. Anticipation of what was to come made her cheeks burn, her whole face feverish. She darted into the walk-in closet, grabbed her pajamas, and fled to the guest bathroom, where she showered in a hurry. Then, she slipped into bed, pulling the covers tightly around herself like a cocoon.

This was the scene Xiao Xuezheng encountered when he emerged from the bathroom in his bathrobe—his little wife curled into the blankets, clutching them as though terrified, trembling like a startled kitten.

“Am I really so scary?”

He murmured softly, then walked over and reached to turn on the bedroom lights.

At once, a trembling voice came from beneath the covers: “Don’t… don’t turn on the main light… Just the bedside lamp is fine…”

Her shy, quivering tone made Xiao Xuezheng’s entire body tense with anticipation. Overcome by impulse, he switched off even the dim bedside lamp, strode to the bed, and reached out to pull back the covers.

But Shi Runrun clung to them with all her strength, refusing to let go no matter how he tried.

Xiao Xuezheng couldn’t help but laugh, raising his voice playfully. “You’re guarding against me like I’m a thief. How are we supposed to make a baby like this?”

“I… I don’t care… I’m just scared…”

Her trembling reply only deepened the smile on his face. A moment later, he gave the covers a firm tug and Shi Runrun felt a rush of cool air as the blankets were snatched away.

“Xiao Xuezheng… you…”

Before she could finish, his tall body pressed down, his lips found hers in the darkness, sealing her mouth with a fierce, precise kiss.

“Mmm…”

Suddenly, Shi Runrun couldn’t speak at all. She felt his weight, her breath stolen, his fresh masculine scent enveloping her from all sides, wrapping her in an inescapable embrace…

Her mind went blank, all thoughts swept away, leaving only him, only the sensation of him upon her.

“Relax… be good… I won’t hurt you…”

Shi Runrun was dazed, her heart pounding so hard she thought it might leap into her throat. She could feel her cheeks burning, her whole face ablaze.

But what was done could not be undone; the arrow was already drawn, and she knew there was no turning back.

She surrendered completely, letting him lead her. She was obedient, gentle, yielding—this was only her second time.

In the haze, she felt herself like a small boat tossed upon the ocean, rising and falling with him. No resistance, no struggle; only at the very end did she gently bite his neck…

…

The next morning, Shi Runrun rose before dawn.

She slipped quietly from bed, dressed and washed in secret, and left the bedroom. Under Sister Li’s astonished gaze, she grabbed two sandwiches and a carton of milk and hurried off to school.

Truthfully, she didn’t know how to face Xiao Xuezheng now…

After last night’s intimacy, she felt she had lost all dignity before him. Shi Runrun secretly resolved to stay with Cen Huan for a few nights after school!

In short, she absolutely did not want to see Xiao Xuezheng right now!

Shi Runrun fled early, and when Xiao Xuezheng awoke around eight, he found the bed empty and his face darkened instantly.

Learning from Sister Li that she’d gone to school at dawn, Xiao Xuezheng grumbled irritably—he’d wanted to pull her back for another round in the morning, to increase their chances of conception!

But she was gone…

All day, Shi Runrun was distracted in class. Her mind replayed those scenes from last night—nothing suitable for children. She couldn’t shake them, no matter how she tried.

He truly was remarkable… she couldn’t even count how many times… it seemed as though they’d explored every corner of the room…

The more she thought about it, the hotter her cheeks became. She scolded herself for letting her mind wander! She’d already been with him before, so why was she acting like a little flirt, dwelling on those memories after the fact…

She really hated it!

However, Shi Runrun’s plan to stay with Cen Huan lasted only a day—because, after school, it was thwarted!

Somehow, Xiao Xuezheng learned the time her classes ended and drove directly to her school, waiting at the gate! His reputation for picking her up was already well known—everyone knew she was the real Mrs. Xiao. As soon as he appeared, the crowd pushed and ushered her to his car, leaving her no chance to escape.

Worst of all, her good friend Cen Huan betrayed her. Somehow, Cen Huan had learned about their plan to conceive and claimed her place wasn’t convenient for guests, pushing Shi Runrun toward Xiao Xuezheng’s car. Shi Runrun was furious!

Thus, their efforts to conceive continued for nearly a month, leaving Shi Runrun feeling half dead.

One morning, a month later, Shi Runrun nervously took a pregnancy test into the bathroom.

She hoped desperately to conceive soon, so she could give her grandparents an answer. But after many tests, the result was always negative.

She stared at the single line, her eyes reddening, disappointment flooding her face.

When she emerged, Xiao Xuezheng saw her small head drooping, the word “disappointment” written across her face.

He pressed his lips together, immediately stepping forward to hold her and comfort her. “This is a matter of fate; you can’t rush it.”

Shi Runrun bit her lip, nestling into his arms in silence, tears slipping from the corners of her eyes.

She couldn’t understand—she’d been taking medication to promote conception, they’d been trying so hard, but the results were so discouraging.

Shi Runrun couldn’t help but wonder sadly if it was because she’d failed before, unable to protect her baby, and now that soul was angry with her, refusing to return to her womb…

It must be so…

With this melancholy, several days passed as summer arrived.

The semester at Shi Runrun’s school was nearing its end, and the teacher announced a nationwide case competition, urging them to take it seriously, as it would count toward graduation credits. Outstanding cases would be recommended for the national contest, with generous prizes and honors for the winners.

Shi Runrun dared not slack off. She pulled herself together and began preparing earnestly, gradually moving past her disappointment at not conceiving.

But she never expected that the case she prepared with Cen Huan and two other classmates would pass the preliminary round and, out of more than two thousand teams nationwide, make it to the top thirty-two! Soon, they would travel to the province for the semifinals!

Now, Shi Runrun was invigorated, pouring all her energy into the competition, so much so that the neglected man in her life started to feel displeased!